MUZZLING ROOSTERS

Hokitika Guardian, 26 June 1928, Page 4

MUZZLING ROOSTERS

DEYONPORT’S NOISY POULTRY

At the Devonport Borough Council last- week there was discussed the desirability of amending the by-laws with regard to poultry-keeping in the borough. The opinion was expressed that Dcvonport’s status now demanded tho limitation of poultry-keeping in closely-built residential areas, and this question is to be further discussed by the council in committee. The matter was introduced by a letter,- from the District Health Officer. Dr 11. Chesson, who had investigated a complaint from residents in the Cheltenham area concerning a large poultry-run of about 300 birds. It was stated that property-owners in the vicinity had difficulty in letting houses nearby on account of the usual concomitants of poultry-keeping—flics, smell and noise. An inspection of tho area had failed to reveal a. state of affairs justifying stringent action under the borough by-laws. The Health Department, however, recommended the council to consider the advisability of defining areas in the ljorougb in' which the keeping of poultry should be prohibited, as it was pointed out that the presence of poultry in congested areas was liable to create -• nuisance.

.The Mayor (Mr E. Aldridge) stated that this communication had summarised the series of complaints continually being received. At tbe present time over 709 people kept poultry in tbe borough paying a nominal license fee of one shilling per annum. Needless to sav, this fee did not pay for tbe trouble involved in its collection nor for tbe time spent in the inspection of such premises. In the case particularly complained of, which was the largest poultry-rim in the borough, tbe fee was the same as for the smallest collection of fowls Tbe sanitary inspector had assured him that every requirement of the borougli bylaws was being attended to. .lie expressed sympathy with the complaints of tbe residents and with the requirements of the Health Department, but doubted tbe wisdom of imposing regulations which might prove obnoxious to very many people.

Mr F. J. Ellisdon strongly supported a revision of the by-laws on the lines of the Health Department’s recommendation. He declared it was time tlio council realised the nuisance that was created by poultry, width from every health aspect was undesirii’ilo adjuncts to residential areas. The noise they made was something awful— Mr S. If. Lyon: What would you suggest? Mvwling thi> roosters? Mr T. Walsh: K T o, putting silencers on the hens. .Amid the ensuing' tnc.Je the Mayor remarked that c-ven residents in thiek!v copulated areas were- fond of newlaid eggs, and the liens couldn’t be blamed for advertising their product. Mr o. H. Lyon championed the poultry fancier. If prohibition of this kind were to be enforced, why not include eats and canaries. He considered poultry-keeping a fine bobby.

Mr T. Walsh said some people kent pigs for a hobby, but that couldn’t be permitted in Dcvoiiport. It seemed to he a matter for majority rule—were the borough’s population of 10,000 to allow 10,000 bens to rule tbe roost? After various further passages the query was remitted for committee consideration.